LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap. Copyriglit No. 

/^y<5 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 







4 



THE PIONEERS 



AN IDYL OF THE MIDDLE-WEST 



/ 



SANFORD FILLMORE BENNETT 



CHICAGO 

R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY 

i8g8 



2nd COPY, 

1898. ^,„_ 



■31898 >j 



\ vn '5' 



tivED- 



K.u\ 



olfio 



Copyrighted 1898, 
By SANFORD FILLMORE BENNETT 



PREFACE 



"The Pioneers," the pleasant work of 
my later years, is an attempt to preserve to 
posterity some of the incidents common to 
frontier experience in this country, during 
the thirties and forties, the local color- 
ing being drawn more particularly from the 
early settlement of Lake and McHenry 
counties, Illinois, where I have spent nearly 
the whole of my life. 

The difference between those primitive 
days and the present is great, and the 
patient heroism of the old pioneers is of 
tender interest to us, and well worthy of 
sacred remembrance. The victories won 
over nature by these grand men were more 
glorious and more beneficent than any ever 
won in war. 

5 



PREFACE 

Thermopylae and Marathon but turned 
back for a time the barbarian hordes 
which would invade the fair fields of Greece 
to devastate and ruin, while the pioneers, 
by the peaceful arts of agriculture and in- 
ternal improvement, subdued state after 
state, and "made the wilderness to blossom 
as the rose" in very truth. 

When they first entered upon their new 
possessions, the country was in a state of 
nature. The seeds of civilization had to 
be sown, farms brought under the plow, 
villages and cities founded, dwellings, 
school-houses and churches built, society 
evolved. Such was the task before them, 
and grandly did they accomplish it. 

In the poem that follows is given a truth- 
ful picture of their struggles, hardships, 
and triumphs. It is sent forth to that gen- 
erous reading public which has heretofore 
so kindly received my miscellaneously pub- 
lished poems, and to those who love and 
sing my "Sweet By-and-By, " in the hope 
that it may receive a like flattering recep- 
tion, and that it may renew and strengthen 

6 



PREFACE 

every sweet bond of friendship now exist- 
ing between us. 

It is with prideful pleasure that I here 
introduce the following graceful tribute re- 
ceived not long since by me, from one of 
America's sweetest poets and most gifted 
men: 

"In *The Pioneers' Dr. Bennett has re- 
produced in melodious verse the life, hab- 
its, customs, joys, and sorrows of the early 
settlers in Illinois. He draws a picture of 
days that passed — together with the buffalo 
and the wild pigeon, the deer and the red 
man — and his brush has been dipped in 
those primitive colors that the prairies and 
woods afforded. 

**The annals of the people who first 
struck their plow-shares into the soil of 
Lake and McHenry counties and set their 
axes to the virgin forest is a history of 
courage, self-denial, and all the early vir- 
tues. The times were rude and arduous, 
and the task of making 'the wilderness 
blossom like the rose' was an Herculean 
one. 

7 



PREFACE 

"How well this labor was performed, 
and the inmost strivings of the men and 
women who engaged in it, is faithfully set 
forth in Dr. Bennett's poem. 

'' *The Pioneers' is taken from actual ex- 
perience, and continues into the times when 
new conditions had arisen and made the 
lives of its actors smoother by reason of 
the advance of progress in the new lands. 
The reaper succeeds the plow, the thresher 
displaces the flail, and the ways of agri- 
culture have been lightened with the lamp 
of invention. 

^'To those who have passed through these 
scenes the poem will have a personal attrac- 
tion keener than is possible to the ordinary 
reader; to those who read it as a recount- 
ing of a time past it will have the interest 
which a truthful presentation of those days 
possesses for all." 

Sanford Fillmore Bennett. 



8 



THE PIONEERS 



As warmer suns, with fervid glow, 
Succeed the Winter's frost and snow, 
To dormant earth once more to bring 
The blessed miracle of Spring — 
As through the leafless branches plays 
A promise of the flowery Mays, 
Until the pulses of the grove 
To Nature's heart-throb, rhythmic move. 
And tiny leaf and blossom show 
That latent life the mold below; 
So shine, O sun of Poesy, 
So breathe, O breath of Melody, 
On this cold heart in harmony! 

9 



THE PIONEERS 

Oh, warm it with thy sun divine, 
Oh, stir it with that breath of thine. 
Until the hand that writes this hour 
Shall move obedient to thy pow'r, 
At inspiration's sweet behest, 
To labor in the poet's quest, 
So that these lines may, haply, be 
To some heart tuned to minstrelsy. 
And, loving well the olden days, 
Their honest hearts, their simple ways — 
A kindred spirit's opening key. 

II 

The blooms of Spring,stern Winter's rime, 
Attest thy charity, O Time ! 
The lights of Hope and Memory blend. 
Thy swift-shod footsteps to attend ! 
As travelers leaving some fair land 
Turn backward longing looks, and stand 
Awhile, the image to renew, 

TO 



THE PIONEERS 

Ere fades the treasured spot from view, 

So hearts turn ever to the past, 

Review the scenes too sweet to last, 

And safe in memory store away 

The treasures of a brighter day. 

To thy most sacred precincts turn. 

And ope, O heart of mine, that urn 

Where, sacredest of all, appears 

The record of the ''Pioneers!" 

Brave, stalwart men, born Nature's kings. 

True-hearted women. Nature's queens. 

Commissioned by a pow'r divin'e 

To conquer even deathless Time, 

And leave a name that e'er shall shine 

With purer, brighter ray. 

While golden ages come and go. 

While heaven shall smile and earth shall 

glow. 

While falls the rain, descends the snow. 

Or night succeeds the day. 
II 



THE PIONEERS 



III 



From piney woods of rock-bound Maine, 
With hearts of oak, the heroes came ; 
Undaunted by regrets or fears, 
Vermont sent forth her mountaineers; 
The State of Empire swelled the train. 
And Massachusetts greeted Maine; 
From lakes, like mirrors framed in hills, 
Whose bosky summits felt the thrills 
The morning song-bird sings and trills. 

Rejoicing to be free ; 
From orchards which a father's hand 
Had planted in an untried land, 
With faith in God, and courage grand. 

And thoughts of liberty ; 
From homes their hardy hands had reared. 
From gardens that to them appeared 

The fields of Paradise ; 
From altars whence the voice of prayer 

12 



THE PIONEERS 

Had floated on the morning air, 

Away to fairer skies ; 
From all the sacred ties that bind 
The kindred heart to kindred kind, 
With bosoms eager for the quest 
They came to seek the glorious "West;" 
There with the faith that love inspires, 
To build new homes and altar-fires. 



IV 

Not then, as now, the iron rail 
Stretched o'er the hilltop, through the 

vale, 
And bore the steed whose thews of steel 
No pining of fatigue can feel : 
The white -bowed wagon lumbered 

through 
The trackless forest, treacherous slough. 
And, while the morns to evenings wore, 

13 



THE PIONEERS 

Their household goods and treasures bore. 
*Twas toil, but toil with pleasure blest, 
The evening brought its boon of rest, 
Although the roof they yet could see, 
Was only heaven's canopy; 
Perchance the night-bird's cry of fear, 
Or wolf, or panther prowling near. 
Might sometimes blunt their pleasure's 

zest. 
Or break, a space, the sense of rest. 
But morning, with its gladsome call, 
Restored the light of hope to all. 
The days wore on to weeks, but ills 
Could not subdue their iron wills. 
A feast of game the day begun. 
Supplied by trusty dog and gun ; 
The streams gave up their finny prey. 
To grace the meal at close of day ; 
The landscape's ever varying view, 
Brought hourly pleasures ever new; 



THE PIONEERS 

The air, untainted, sweet as when 
Earth first became the home of men. 
Secured to each that priceless wealth, 
The bounding pulse and glow of health. 



But, home at last — a Western home. 
Amid fair Nature's stretch of bloom, 
Or where the prairies, wide and fair. 
With perfume loaded all the air! 
The prairies, seas of living green, 
With groves of beauty set between, 
Bright lakes that sparkled in the sun. 
And slept in peace when day was done ; 
Sweet streams, whose singing, Nature's 

bars 
Had set to music of the stars — 
A heritage, O Land most fair. 
The very sons of God might wear! 

15 



THE PIONEERS 

Italia' s sunny vales might be, 
To other eyes, more sweet to see; 
Thy purple vineyards, lovely France, 
To some might richer seem, perchance; 
The Emerald Island's slopes of green 
Are charming in the Summer's sheen; 
Old England's gardens' sweet surprise 
May seem the fields of Paradise 
Or earthly heaven, to English eyes. 
But, Oh, to them no land so fair 
As Western hills and valleys are! 
No other land to mortal view 
Smiles under skies so heavenly blue ; 
No other land such blessing bears. 
Of healthful and enchanting airs; 
O Land of Beauty, this their pride! 
They would no other land beside ! 



x6 



THE PIONEERS 

VI 

Such is the land that blooms to cheer 

The hardy Western pioneer. 

No roof awaits him, ready made, 

To shelter from the sun and shade; 
So, seize the axe! The wood of green 
Is waiting in the sunlight's sheen 
With only thee and it between 
A home as brave as e'er was seen. 

The Hand that fashioned swelling hill 
And vale of beauty, decked in flowers, 
That blossom through the Summer 

hours ; 
The shimmering lake and sparkling 

stream, 
As fair as pictures in a dream. 

Forgot not one thing wanting still! 

And, rank on rank. His forest trees 



17 



THE PIONEERS 

Felt Spring and Summer's quickening 

breeze, 
And slowly grew, a century's span, 
A home to build the coming man! 
The stately monarchs quivering feel 
The wounding of the gleaming steel, 
And soon the thund'rous echoes tell 
Where, crashing, one by one, they fell! 
Each tree was measured where it lay, 
The branches deftly cut away, 
Till each a column straight became, 
The hand of Phidias might claim. 

And fitted well to fill its space 
In solid walls, whose mete and bound 
Will soon the household goods surround. 

And make sweet love a dwelling place. 



i8 



THE PIONEERS 



VII 



Now come the neighbors, stalwart men, 
And merry in their ways as when. 
With laugh and shout of careless boys, 
In Eastern homes they sought their toys. 
Roll log on log safe into place ! 
The rugged structure grows apace! 
Its walls of oak will laugh to scorn 
The onset of the wildest storm. 
And scoff the gnawing tooth of Time, 
The Summer's heat, the Winter's rime. 
And, be the need, we well might know 
Them proof against the Indian foe ! 
Now rear the rafters, saplings tall, 
Rough-hewn but meet to crown the 

whole ! 
Ah, proud is he the task who wins 
To fasten them with wooden pins. 
And so arrange that they may take 

19 



THE PIONEERS 

The curious shingle called a ** shake!" 

Rough is the covering, in sooth, 

To one who knew an Eastern roof, 

But competent, to shield from rain, 

E'en though the snows an entrance gain. 

Rived from a tree, picked out with care, 

Like baby boards the shakes appear. 

And, guiltless of the smoothing plane. 

Attention quite too nice and vain, 

In shaggy courses soon they lie 

Between the family and sky. 

No nails must mar the building's plan — 

Leave such to less inventive man — 

But fasten them with wooden pin, 

And arrowy sapling, tall and trim. 

Now split from log of straight-grained oak 

The ' * chinks, ' ' each gaping crack to choke, 

(For, use with skill the greatest care. 

Between the logs wide openings are.) 

And here again the wooden pin 

20 



THE PIONEERS 

Secures the chinking safely in. 
The tough clay at the structure's side, 
Or from the cellar scattered wide, 
When moistened from the running stream, 
Supplies the mortar for each seam. 
And gaping crevice, closed secure, 
To make each inmate's comfort sure. 
The gleaming axe once more descends, 
And through the oak an opening rends. 
Where soon, ere lies, perchance, the floor, 
Will swing a massive oaken door. 
And, yielding to the blows that fall. 
Grow spaces for the windows small. 
Another opening, wide and high. 
Reveals a gleam of land and sky. 
Where, built of skillful masonry. 
The generous fireplace soon will be. 
Its walls of rocks that drifted lay 
About the fields but yesterday; 
Its mantel beam of solid oak, 

21 



THE PIONEERS 

Its chimney, whose capacious throat 
Curves outward from the building's side, 
Of oaken sticks with clay inside! 
Roll in the ''back-log" two feet through, 
And lay the ''fore-stick" just and true. 
On fire-dogs rifted from the rock, 
And fain to bear the rudest shock I 
Fill in between with smaller wood, 
A goodly frontier wagon load, 
And soon a fire shall hiss and roar, 
To fright the frost beyond the door! 



VIII 

That rude home knew small garniture 

Of rich and costly furniture; 

From Eastern home, across the plain, 

In "prairie-schooner" it were vain 

To bring aught else than what might be 

A real, bald necessity. 

22 



THE PIONEERS 

To supplement the costlier ware, 

We see the home-made oaken chair, 

Or rougher stool, we must confess 

Unsuited quite to laziness; 

The long slab bench, with legs of oak, 

To-day would only smile provoke, 

But well it did its duty then, 

In kitchen, school-house, church, and 

when 
The day of toil at last was spent. 
To wearied forms it gave content. 
Around the walls we see, in rows. 
Stout wooden pins to hold the clothes; 
The ''hickory*' shirt and ''wammus"blue. 
Companionship of linen knew. 
Which, treasured for occasions rare, 
Became the housewife's special care; 
The work-day suit, in hours of rest, 
Hung close beside the ''Sunday best;** 
On wooden pins the shelves repose, 
23 



THE PIONEERS 

With crockery in ordered rows, 
That in its well kept neatness glows ; 
At every glance the eye may trace 
Some home-made comfort in its place, 
And each, to home hearts fondly showed 
The hand that fashioned wrought in love. 



IX 

Oh, old log house, to thee a tear! 

How sad to see thee disappear! 

Where thou hast stood is holy ground, 

With a celestial nimbus crowned ! 

How often have thy rafters rung 

With merry voices of the young, 

When old-time plays, the evening long. 

With happiness the hours prolong, 

When ''Roll the Platter," ''Hunt the 

Shoe," 

And even "Button," players knew, 

24 



THE PIONEERS 

And 'twas not thought too rude or 

rough 
To try a game of ''Blind Man's Buff," 
The elders joining in the plays, 
And living o'er their youthful days! 
If thy rough walls, now turning dust. 
Could tell what they have held in trust, 
What Poems-of- the- Heart would thrill 
The soul and listening ear, until 
The very sun that on thee beams 
Would breed a Paradise of Dreams! 
The laughter that dead lips have given, 
The sobbings in the ear of Heaven, 
The grandsire's babble, baby's cry. 
The mother's "Welcome" and "Good- 

by," 

The father's jocund mirth, the pray'r. 
Have all been heard and guarded there! 
The whispering of young love's dream, 
Death's solemn ofifice, festive scene, 

25 



THE PIONEERS 

Sorrows that chilled the heart's slow 

stream, 
And pleasures sweet as angel's dream, 
The storms of passion and of love, 
The croaking raven, cooing dove. 
Thy walls have seen and heard. Ah, tell 
How were thy secrets kept so well! 
O log-built home, grew noble men 
In thee, to touch the poet's pen. 
To guide the storm-tost Ship of State, 
To crown with glory adverse fate. 
And teach to genius that no bar 
Stands 'twixt thy door and glory's star. 

X 

How changed the landscape since the 

brawn 

And brains of heroes brought the dawn 

Of culture, with their coming in, 

26 



THE PIONEERS 

To found an empire and begin 

The march of conquest, hand to hand, 

And make a wild a bounteous land ! 

You, who to-day these fields behold, 

All yellow with the harvest's gold. 

The acres broad of stately corn, 

That rustles in the breath of morn. 

With nodding plume, like gallant knight. 

And leaves like lances gleaming bright ; 

The grassy meadow's stretch of green, 

That lies the swelling hills between — 

The harvest hills, a frame of gold, 

A gem of emerald to hold — 

The thrifty orchards, white in Spring, 

An Autumn bounty promising. 

Whose well-kept faith before you now 

Is seen in lowly bending bough. 

Hung thick with fruitage, rich as are 

The gifts that Eastern orchards bear; 

The well-fed cattle on the lea, 

27 



THE PIONEERS 

Of purest blood and pedigree ; 

The meek-eyed sheep, a gentle train 

That shows the sunny blood of Spain ; 

The well-knit horse, for work or show. 

And swift as arrow from the bow; 

The cosy homes that crown the hills, 

The ample barns each harvest fills. 

The signs of thrift and well-paid care, 

That are around you everywhere — 

You, once again, who these behold, 

Will not reject the tale, if told. 

How once, to Nature's own sweet sway. 

These opulent enclosures lay, 

As wild as when the world began, 

Uncultured by the hand of man ; 

The home of swift-winged singing bird, 

Whose note the morning echoes stirred ; 

The pasture of the bison strong, 

That roamed at will, a countless throng; 

The haunt of wolf and timid deer, 

28 



THE PIONEERS 

Swift-footed when its foes were near, 
And sinewy Indian wild as they, 
Bold in the chase or tribal fray — 
These, Nature's offsprings, held in fee 
This glorious landscape which you see. 



XI 

It was the ** pioneer's" strong hand 

That wrought these marvels in the land, 

That toiled, while Heaven, approving, 

smiled. 

To make a garden of a wild. 

Your arrowy fences now combine 

The products of the mill and mine. 

More finished, maybe, not so fair 

As those that claimed his earlier care ; 

Like other works his fashioning knew, 

The old rail fence recedes from view. 

Its rugged contour seldom seen, 

29 



THE PIONEERS 

Yet would I keep its memory green ! 
Rough was the labor of the hand 
That wrought it from the forest grand ! 
The tall oak felt the sturdy blow, 
As if its tough heart pain might know, 
And, plunging headlong to the ground, 
Awoke the sleeping echoes 'round! 
The trunk is trimmed of boughs that 

made, 
An hour ago, a twilight shade; 
Gauged by the ax-helve, marked with 

care, 
In equal lengths 'tis severed there; 
An entering wedge, the blacksmith's art 
Had wrought to cleave its stubborn heart, 
Is driven to the center true. 
As if the very course it knew, 
By ''beetle," primitive and rude. 
If by a classic standard viewed ; 
The cruel iron cleaves the grain, 

30 



THE PIONEERS 

And rends, apace, the log in twain ; 
Then follows quick the wooden "glut," 
Made from a hickory sapling butt, 
Which wider yet the rent divides, 
And grooves the hard oak at its sides. 
Till, giving plaint in sounds like sighs, 
In halves the log before us lies! 
In quarters next, and these again 
The wedge and beetle rend in twain. 
Till muscle wins — it never fails — 
And lo, the tree a pile of rails ! 
The stakes are set to guide the eye. 
And tell where each first course shall lie, 
Till, zigzag in its contour, grows 
The first defense the broad field knows, 
Well ** staked and ridered," to deter 
The most unruly trespasser. 



31 



THE PIONEERS 



XII 



And now, a harvest's wealth to earn, 
The stubborn sod he first must turn. 
The plow that heaves the mellow soil 
To-day, with more of play than toil, 
For "breaking," which the pioneers 
Knew well to do with sturdy steers. 
Would be the veriest of toys — 
A plaything to the frontier boys ! 
The ponderous ''breaking plow" whose 

weight 
Would task two men to undertake. 
Is built in fashion not too small 
To meet the stern demands that call! 
Seven "yoke" of oxen is the team 
That soon will try its massive beam ; 
To sight, its coulter doth reveal 
A giant's claymore, hammered steel; 
Steel, too, the "lay," of temper good, 

32 



THE PIONEERS 

The ''moldboard" wrought from solid 

wood; 
Two arms of brawn the handles guide ; 
Two drivers are the team beside; 
The buckskin whiplash cracks amain, 
And moves the engine o'er the plain! 
Broad furrows follow as it goes, 
And lo, the upturned acre grows! 

XIII 

Rude husbandry that follows then — 
Necessity of frontiersmen — 
For soon the sod the seed receives, 
In trust for Summer's harvest sheaves; 
A harrow wrought of oaken stuff. 
Strong as the stubborn soil, and rough. 
With wooden teeth instead of steels, 
Inventive resource now reveals, 
And makes a shift to hide the seed ; 

33 



THE PIONEERS 

But sometimes, in the hour of need 
A treetop, after oxen strong, 
Is dragged the furrow's course along. 
To cover up, in faith sublime, 
The promise of a harvest time ! 
If sought the new sod to adorn, 
With Autumn's wealth of golden corn, 
(Credulity I would not tax!) 
The crop was planted with an ax. 
Which, deftly swung, slant gashes made. 
In which the hopeful seed was laid ; 
Upon it then the foot was pressed 
And left to Nature was the rest! 
And Nature, gentle mother, knew 
To give the planter's faith its due. 
For, when approached the Autumn days. 
With crimson mornings all ablaze. 
And evening suns with flash of flame, 
That stubborn sod its praise might claim, 
By bearing on its conquered mold, 

34 



THE PIONEERS 

Rank stalks that yield the ears of gold. 
Think not the seasons kind would fail 
To make such tillage rude avail ; 
The kindly heavens above it bent, 
And blessings of the rainfall sent, 
The night distilled its gentle dew, 
The sweet south wind in blessing blew. 
The golden sun, with kindness rife. 
Vouchsafed the energies of life. 
Till tiny shoot and blade became 
The perfect plant of golden grain. 
And plenty marked the ample hoard, 
On which to draw, to heap the board 
With wholesome food, to bless and cheer 
The thankful-hearted pioneer. 



35 



THE PIONEERS 



XIV 



When harvest comes, what happiness 
The sturdy pioneers possess! 
The golden breadth of harvest fields 
A beauty all its own reveals ; 
The wheat assumed an aureate hue, 
The oats a somberer color grew, 
The humble barley vied in shade 
With that the swaying rye fields made. 
While yet the ranks of stalwart corn, 
Like green clad warriors greet the morn. 
And lofty plumes nod in the air, 
Above their thousand sword blades bare ; 
A prospect that with pleasure cheers 
The honest-hearted pioneers. 
The harvest calls! How would his eyes 
Have opened in a wide surprise, 
To see a new self-binder move 
Upon those harvests of his love! 

36 



THE PIONEERS 

The ^'cradle" was the tool he knew, 
Which from his grandsire's sickle grew; 
The sturdy ''cradler" swings the steel 
In mighty strokes from ''toe" to ''heel," 
And lays the golden swaths amain, 
Like fairy roadways on the plain. 
The "binder" follows close behind, 
To rake in bundles, then to bind ; 
And after him, like scattered leaves. 
The cradler's swath a line of sheaves! 
The younger folk, this toil a joy. 
Their willing feet and hands employ 
In gathering up the sheaves that lie 
All prostrate 'neath the Summer sky. 
And setting them in ordered "shocks," 
As shepherds gather in their flocks ; 
Perchance the grandsire leads the van. 
Once known for strength, a mighty man. 
But now upon his reverend head. 
The snows of eighty years have shed 

37 



THE PIONEERS 

Their hallowed whiteness, and his form 
Bent from the blows of many a storm ; 
Yet, joyously he leads the band, 
To give his help with feeble hand ! 
The wagons, with their spreading 

** racks," 
Soon score the fields with sunken tracks; 
In ponderous loads the sheaves are drawn, 
Oft groaning in the early dawn. 
And, shaped to worst the rain or snow. 
The swelling stacks in order grow ! 
As when about some 'leaguered town. 
The miles of circling camps are drawn. 
And one who lists at early morn 
Can hear the bugler's mellow horn. 
Now near, now far, as chance may be, 
Throb out the stirring reveille. 
So, when about the peaceful farms. 
The loving Autumn throws her arms, 
Upon the ear from near and far, 

38 



THE PIONEERS 

Unlike the ringing notes of war, 
O'er hill and dale, through open doors, 
The music of the threshing floors 
Comes wafted on the sleepy gales — 
The rhythmic beat of many flails! 
Or, maybe, at some wayside home 
You see the sheaves in circle thrown, 
And patient oxen, round and round. 
Tread out the grain upon the ground ; 
Then, when the winds were blowing fair. 
The chaff and grain were tossed in air; 
This to be blown o'er fields afar. 
That to remain well winnowed there. 



XV 

The scene is changed ! All earth below 
Is covered with its robe of snow. 
As if the heavens, in sweet pretense, 
Had robed the world in innocence ; 

39 



THE PIONEERS 

The north wind keenly smites the face, 
And from the northern sky, the trace 
Of heavenly limner lights the snow 
With Winter's borealis* glow. 
The household, blest in twofold sense. 
Is waiting in its innocence — 
Twice blest, that there is no surcease 
Of sweet and true domestic peace, 
And blessed in the hope, a bloom, 
Anon their friends will fill the room. 
The blazing firelogs, with their glow, 
A genial light and warmth bestow ; 
And though the winter's icy breath 
Proclaims the reign of cold and death. 
Above the window-sill though rise 
The crystal meteors of the skies, 
In drifts the skillful winds perfect. 
Each Nature's cunning architect; 
Though changed the roadway's ample 
space 

40 



THE PIONEERS 

To pathless tract, without a trace 
To guide the wanderer on his way, 
Before shall dawn the light of day ; 
Although where fence and thicket 

showed, 
When yester morning's sunlight glowed, 
A broad expanse of white is seen, 
With blue above and naught between; 
Though trees are marble monuments 
That back the sky, and coming whence, 
When wind gusts sweep across the plain, 
A thousand stars of light, a train 
Of sparkling diamonds whirl and fly 
Between the earth and moonlit sky; 
Although the sun, descending low. 
Its last kiss gave to worlds of snow. 
And left the moon to rule in grace, 
'Twixt two horizons' ample space. 
Like pale-faced queen, in mourning now. 
While star handmaidens keep the vow 

41 



THE PIONEERS 

To give her, in her widowhood, 
Sweet sympathy of sisterhood; 
Although the spectral oak-tree sighs 
In sympathy with earth and skies, 
And from no feathered songster's throat 
Is heard a welcome-breathing note — 
The warm hearts, watching by the fire. 
Know more warm hearts are drawing 

nigher. 
And list, expectant, for the call 
That soon shall gladly summon all! 

XVI 

Meanwhile, the housewife's busy care 

Has not been slow to fashion there, 

Such handiwork her taste commends, 

And wins the plaudits of her friends. 

Hail to the tryst! O fashion's throng, 

Bound down to irksome custom long, 

42 



THE PIONEERS 

God pity you, who may not know 
The heartfelt pleasure, genial glow, 
From call of friends that blesses, cheers 
The glad, warm hearts of pioneers! 
Your chandeliers may gleam and glow, 
To shame the starlight on the snow; 
Your carpets rich, that give no sound. 
Your costly statues clustered round. 
Your couches, amorous, which may seem 
The sweet creations of a dream — 
All you possess, and more, I'll chance. 
Could not the pleasure sweet enhance. 
That once, an angel, did abide 
In love-blest homes, love-sanctified. 
Upon our Western prairies wide! 
The "tallow-dip" has lighted more 
Of blessed pleasures, many a score, 
And seen more friendship true that 

cheers. 
Than all your costly chandeliers; 

43 



THE PIONEERS 

The sweet moon 'bove the gHstening 

snow, 
Through open cloor, or window low, 
Has shone upon more sights that bless. 
More real, heartfelt happiness, 
Than all your mirrors, in whose glance 
Is shown the taste and wealth of France; 
Your costly carpets give no more 
Of bliss than did the oaken floor; 
Your couches, cushioned, rich and rare. 
Have less of ease than oaken chair; 
And why? Sweet love and glad content, 
In Western homes had tenement. 



XVII 

But, hark ! A hail ! The waiting done. 
Come friends, true, trusty, every one, 
From miles away, across the plain. 
Impeding snowdrifts all in vain, 

44 



THE PIONEERS 

On "log-sled," fashioned by the hand 
That drives the yoke of oxen, grand, 
Deep-chested brutes, with pace not slow, 
Considering the depth of snow; 
Nor did it much his genius tax 
To build with auger, saw and ax, 
His only tools, this early sleigh, 
For ''logging," or a festal day. 
Make room around the ample hearth ! 
Not wealth has come, but simple worth! 
'Tis neighbor A., with sweet-eyed girls, 
Rejoicing in their wealth of curls; 
*Tis neighbor B., with stalwart boys, 
Unused to fine restraint, and noise 
The chiefest of their boyish joys; 
'Tis neighbor C, whose cabin wide 
Not yet has welcomed home a bride, 
And yet, whose maid-ward glances show, 
To choose one he would not be slow ; 
And, lo! with smiling, joyous mien, 

45 



THE PIONEERS 

The backwoods preacher, too, is seen ; 
Nor must the pen forget to trace 
The joy that beautifies each face, 
As move the mothers mid the throng, 
Fit heroines for lyric song, 
The noble women, peerless wives, 
Who beautified our Western lives! 
Now, wider make the circle ! blest 
Is he who feels the sense of rest. 
That comes, when toilsome day is done, 
And low descends the Western sun. 
And neighbor pioneers have met 
To taste of joy, and toil forget. 
Dull care, begone! To-night they stand, 
As heart to heart, and hand to hand. 
And, in their greetings, aptly show 
How close to heart warm hearts may 
grow. 



46 



THE PIONEERS 



XVIII 



In games that cheer the youthful heart, 
The happy young folk take their part, 
While graver themes the elders choose. 
Which soon the shyest tongues unloose — 
The talk of Eastern homes, the rare. 
Strange news the last newspapers bear, 
The price of ''claims," ''pre-emptions," 

farms, 
The passing season's wealth of charms. 
The growth of horses, calves and steers. 
The blessings that have crowned the years. 
The last "revival," hopes that cheered. 
The new church that their hands had 

reared, 
The precinct caucus, full of life. 
The county canvass, hot with strife, 
Tall neighbor Hubbard, proud to be 
The champion at the logging-bee, 

47 



THE PIONEERS 

The feat, with ax, of neighbor Powers — 
Two cords of wood in just three hours! 
John's mighty yoke of steers, that drew 
The twelve-foot log, quite four feet 

through, 
The wolf-hunt and the ** painter" slain, 
Wise auguries of snow or rain — 
All kindred topics that might cheer 
The honest, earnest pioneer. 

XIX 

The evening lengthens. On a hook 

Hang up the juicy spare-rib! Look! 

*Tis safely hung on string of *'tow" 

Which winds and unwinds, to and fro, 

Within the firelight's hottest glow. 

Thus giving every part the heat 

The blazing oak-logs outward beat ; 

Beneath it sat the dripping-pan, 

48 



THE PIONEERS 

Just where the savory juices ran, 
And frequent * 'bastings," as it turned. 
Soon gave a roast such care had earned. 
On either flank, an omen good. 
The too well-known ' ' bake-kettles' ' stood. 
The one with biscuits, flaky, white. 
The blessing of a king invite ; 
The other with potatoes grand, 
The generous product of the land ; 
These three substantial: now we add 
A fare to make a monarch glad ! 
White honey from the wildwood bee, 
Rich butter's golden mystery, 
Wrought from the milk with magic art, 
None, save a housewife, could impart; 
A '* Johnny-cake, " whose aureate hue 
Suggests the gold from Autumn due; 
Milk, pure and fresh as Eden's rain, 
And not sophisticate for gain ; 
Brown gingerbread, whose praise to paint 

49 



THE PIONEERS 

Would tax the genius of a saint ; 
(The tang its sweetness gave, in vain 
To seek, except in sorghum cane) 
A beverage the teacup fills, 
That e'er a cynic's bosom thrills, 

Enriched with cream to put to shame 
That mystery, only cream in name, 
To smirch the city milkman's fame! 
iBut KiNGLlEST Dish, that doth impart, 
A glory to the housewife's art, 
And crowns her Queen, mid kingly men. 
With more than royal diadem. 
Is that joint gift of earth and sky, 
The frontier matron's PUMPKIN Pie! 
When Autumn doth her treasures yield, 
In rich profusion, all afield, 
The golden spheres unnumbered lie, 
Suggestive of the famous pie! 
Well knows the housewife to prepare 
The cooked and sifted fruit with care ; 

50 



THE PIONEERS 

She adds the milk, in measure, just 
To fill the flaky undercrust, 
Eggs, sugar, ginger, lot by lot. 
And dust of nutmeg on the top. 
With other condiments that thrill 
My memory and palate still ! 

When these, like lovers' hearts, com- 
bine. 
She smiles upon her work sublime, 
And bakes it just the proper time! 
O, marvel of the head and hand ! 
O, product of this bounteous land ! 
The vaunted cooks of happy France, 
Could ne'er thy flavor rare enhance! 
No richer gifts the gods impart. 
Than this delicious work of art. 
A precious boon, to mankind sent, 
A peerless, fragrant condiment, 
That sets perfection's titled seal 
Upon the matchless frontier meal ; 

51 



/ 



THE PIONEERS 

"A feast of fat things," rare, sublime, 
Unrivaled in the rounds of time, 
And such as in these modern days. 
No more shall bless our hapless ways. 
Then gather round the board, to share 
This largess of our hostess' care, 
First asking Him whose bounteous hand 
Doth crown with blessing all the land. 
To make us grateful — virtue rare — 
And thanking Him for kindly care. 

XX 

Scarce was the new log-house upreared 
Before the school-house, too, appeared ; 
For well the frontier settler knew 
The child that at his hearthstone grew. 
Must learn the use of book and pen, 
To make the useful citizen, 
And wrought as best he could, to make 

52 



THE PIONEERS 

Foundations strong, without mistake, 
For higher culture which the wing 
Of coming years was sure to bring; 
To memory sang his schoolboy days. 
The master's voice, his boyhood plays, 
And all the joys his nature knew, 
While, step by step, his knowledge grew, 
And hastened that his child might be 
Not lacking opportunity 
To gain at least, essentials three. 
The "R's" of prime necessity. 
The frontier school-house ! It was bare 
Of ease or luxury, to spare ! 
A board, the length of either wall, 
With desks as rough, made seats for all 
The older pupils, while the young 
To unbacked benches, aching, clung; 
A *' box-stove, "meant the cold to bar. 
The near ones roasted, chilled the far; 
A blackboard, sometimes not the best, 
53 



THE PIONEERS 

A platform for the teacher's desk — 
If more, then I know not the rest! 
The outer walls were grim and bare, 
Log-built, and often, wanting care, 
The loosened * 'chinks" and clay would 

fall. 
And Winter's icy lips kiss all. 
But if, in time, some **deestrick" had 
A house in real ''clapboards" clad. 
It donned a style sublime to see, 
Like titled aristocracy, 
And boastings from the rival boys, 
With keen retort, made clamorous noise, 
Until, to set the matter right. 
It ended in a boyish fight, 
Which, if the victor "log-house boy," 
Made all amends and damped the joy 
Which ''clapboard aristocracy," 
Erstwhile, had thought they held in fee. 
In Summer, o'er the district school, 

54 



THE riONEERS 

Some farmer's daughter swayed the rule, 
If she could teach the "A, B, C," 
To little toddlers at her knee, 
And wise was counted if she took 
The foremost through the ** spelling- 
book;" 
But Winters, when the older boys, 
Released from farm-work, sought the joys 
Which knowledge, on her golden wings. 
To every ardent seeker brings. 
The school-house, crowded, buzzed, and 

then. 
Was sought a master, in whose ken 
Must bide a wider knowledge, and, 
Not least, the MUSCLE to command! 
Respect and order to secure 
That master found no sinecure. 
For such big youths sometimes rebelled, 
Not oft by malice so impelled, 
But quite reluctant to obey 

55 



THE PIONEERS 

The rules that governed, day by day, 
And thought it ''fun," like "doing 

chores," 
To heave the master out of doors, 
Which done, although a fight the cost, 
That master all his prestige lost, 
And from that day — disastrous slip! — 
The rebels held the mastership. 
O, old, log school-house! — tender tears 
Will blind me, after all these years. 
When, reminiscent, I recall 
Each crinkle in your shaggy wall. 
Each loved initial we essayed, 
On desk or wall with jack-knife blade, 
The ' * opening day, " ' ' last day of school, ' * 
The culprit capped to show the fool, 
The little maids whose lips I kissed. 
And they repaid with interest, 

My little sweetheart, whom to meet, 
A rosebud waking from its sleep, 
56 



THE PIONEERS 

I longed for, yet would fain retreat, 
To whom I swore allegiance due. 
Like brave knight-errant, tender, true. 
But whose sweet lips, these many years, 
Have chimed not on my listening ears. 
Whose white hands, folded on her breast, 
Bespoke beatitudes of rest, 

Her slight form clad in robes of snow, 

Now vision of the long ago, 

Laid tenderly the mold below! 
Tears, too, will have their willful ways. 
When come to me those far-off days. 
And boy companions, all aglow. 
The homely greeting give — "Hello!" 
The comrades of my study, play, 
Now old, like me, or "passed away," 
Great hearted boys, long grown to men 
Whose children's children kiss again. 
I linger yet the path along, 



57 



THE PIONEERS 

Where still the school-house memories 

throng! 
These rou^h-hewn temples i^iiarded long, 
1 K'.irts tuiUHl to melody of soiii;, 
Souls hot with true [)oetic fire, 
Miiuls full of i;l()iit>us desire, 
St.itesmeu that i;ave our C\uiutr\''s uauie 
The u'orUl-wiile j^lamour of Ium fauie, 
Triests of tlu* Ta'vini;^ God, who kuow 
llis heart to uierc)' is uot slow, 
Riui;s iu the busy UKirts o{ trade. 
True i)atriot spirits, uot afraid, 
When daiii^er to tin- (Idi:^ drew uii;h. 
To reseue it, or 'ue.ith it die. 
Men known to Seieuee, Letters. Art, 
Broad-minded K\ulers, true of heart, 
All these — how stirring- is the view! — 
Hring those log temples honor ilue. 



58 



THE PIONEERS 



XXI 



Religion, to these earlier men, 

Meant much, and blazed to passion when 

"Revival" tempests swept along, 

And swayed, like reeds, the earnest 

throng; 
Psychoses strange were often met, 
That balk our boasted Science yet : 
Trance, ecstacy, moods called ''The 

'ower. 
Made startling many a worship hour; 
Cries supplicate, or wailings loud. 
Swept like wild storm-gusts thro' the 

crowd ! 
Such scenes as these who can forget? 
Strange, wild, hallucinate! — and yet, 
Who dares to meet the heights and depths 
Of human souls? Who dares to say 
There came not, in that earlier day, 
59 



THE PIONEERS 

A light of God that the adepts 

We now might counsel, could not know, 

A faith as pure and white as snow? 

Or that rough men might list, from choice, 

To sweet Religion's gentle voice. 

A guide, whatever paths they trod. 

To blamelessness and peace with God? 

I mind a father's earnest face, 

In prayer upturned to throne of grace. 

While 'round his head a nimbus played 

That made my boyish heart afraid; 

I mind the contrites' tears and prayers. 

The offering repentance bears, 

To tell that feet, long led astray, 

Would seek the brighter, better way, 

Which only He, who all commands. 

Who holds life's issues in His hands. 

Could speak to being, and whose ray 

Lights for mankind a happier day. 

I mind the minister, who came, 

60 



THE PIONEERS 

O'er stretches wide, across the plain, 

Untutored, maybe, in the schools. 

Untaught in rigid Logic's rules, 

But, guided by an impulse high. 

For man to live, for God to die! 

O saintly men! The souls who knew 

The very breath of Hfe you drew, 

Who knelt with you anear the Throne, 

And made its mysteries their own. 

They knew the wealth of faith and love 

That raised your lives their own above ! 

No matter what a clearer light 

Has shed upon our inner sight, 

No matter what a broader view 

Of God hath led to paths anew. 

No matter if the creeds they taught. 

With error and distrust were fraught. 

Or weight of JUSTICE filled, with them. 

The measure of their human ken. 

And made the God we all adore, 

6i 



THE PIONEERS 

Not Father, but a Judge, no more, 

Forgetting that the saintly Paul 

Said unto them, and said to all. 

That he persuaded was, that death. 

Nor life that ends with mortal breath. 

Nor principalities, nor powers. 

That vanish with the wasting hours, 

Nor angels, blest in Heaven's sight. 

Nor present things that view the light. 

Nor things to come, we may not see. 

Nor height, nor depth, nor creature, be 

Secure to take from you and me 

The LOVE that comes, with sweet accord. 

From Jesus Christ, our Brother, Lord ; 

No matter though the way they taught 

Led into paths by us unsought. 

We know and feel that unto them 

The pow'r was given to rescue men 

From many evil paths they trod. 

And lead, at length, to worship God ! 

62 



THE PIONEERS 

Such men, such cruel faith sublime, 
Perhaps, were needed in that time, 
When men were ruder in their ways, 
Unknowing learning's better ways. 
To work through fear's unchristian thrall. 
Else men would worship not at all! 
The dwelling of the settler knew 
The voice of worship, pure and true. 
So, see the congregation still, 
That comes the cabin wide to fill! 
The hymn is read, then voices raise 
The earnest, soulful song of praise, 
And, like a savory incense, borne 
Upon the breezy breath of morn. 
The votive offerings upward rise, 
To reach in faith the listening skies! 
Now comes the prayer: the holy man 
Invokes God's blessing as he can. 
And, though his speech be lame and sore, 
God asks the heart and nothing more; 

63 



THE PIONEERS 

Another hymn : Then, who can tell 
The warning words which, solemn, fell 
From lips baptized in awful fire — 
God's boundless justice, boundless ire, 
The hopes and fears of dying men, 
That live and die, yet live again. 
This life a fleeting, shadowy naught, 
That life, a Hell or Heaven, as sought — 
A wild harangue, which simple men 
Thought awful Sinai's thundering then. 
Before the altar is a space 
For those who ''seek a throne of grace," 
Fear-driven, under stinging lash 
Of God's displeasure and the flash 
Of His avenging sword, whose fall 
Is scarce restrained at mercy's call! 
Ah ! tears and prayers ! The waiting soul 
Is wafted out beyond control 
Of all the minor things that leave 
Their impress on the lives we live ! 

64 



THE PIONEERS 

Be Still, O Soul, and listen, while 
The bending heavens lean down and smile. 
And God's sweet benediction comes 
To bless e'en ITis mistaken sons, 
For, whom we worship does not ask 
What cruel creeds our credence tax, 
Or what the name our churches bore, 
But asks the heart, nor needs lie more. 

XXII 

In every age hath love refined 
And made more tender human kind ; 
In every si)here of life we see 
The olden human mystery; 
Man, prehistoric, no doubt wooed 
In tenderer words, his savage love. 
Before imperfect human speech 
Made vocal meaning each to each ; 
Sweet Nature's instincts made it plain 

65 



rUK I'lONKKRS 

When lovo would plo.ul for love ai:jaiii ; 

The pritu.il 111. lid and \'outli wore taught. 

\W primal birds, the art uiistni^ht — 

Unsought, because no need to seek 

What o'ou uiitutorctl c)'cs tiiii;iit spcMk ; 

Tiio genesis oi youm;" lover's tdance, 

Bright as a starbcani, sharp as a lauco, 

Is old as is the race of man, 

Was twin to love when love be;.',an. 

Ah, well the rustic maiden knew 

1 b)w sweet love's passion as it jm'cw, 

And Nature waited not for years, 

To teach tlu> }'outhful pioneers 

To Hash the glance divine, ere speech 

Had told the story each to e.ich, 

Or guide the timid tongue to tell 

The old, sweet story, known so well. 

As roses wild, beside their way, 

Ope'd petals to the opening tlay. 

And shed a perfume, swieter there, 

66 



nil': PI ON KICKS 

Tliiiu loads the cultured j^arden's air, 

So jrrew love's opening wildwood rose 

Within the untaught hearts of those 

To vviioin a lioiitier life had hut 

A rare, uneultured sentiment, 

And love's sweet perfume made their lives 

The vcvy I)liss of i'aradise. 

X X II r 

A frontier wedding' ! What a thrill 

Is tin^diu}; in my pulses still, 

As I remember all the joys. 

To sire and matron, j^irls and hoys, 

( )f su( h a p.olden-fronted day, 

WIkii some fair maid was led aw.iy, 

With timid, yet a trustiiij^j heart, 

Of other home to be a l)art, 

To share the trials, share the joy 

The youthful matron's arts employ, 

67 



THE PIONEERS 

To make a home of sweet content, 
Arched o'er by dear love's firmament! 
Well knew the swain how to i)rc)vide 
A rustic home, to }.>reet his bride, 
Though roii^h and homely, yet his 
pride! 
With pleasure words cannot portray, 
*Tis finished ere the wedding-day, 
And often, half in pride, half fright. 
The bride-elect bespeaks it right. 
What busy hours shall lead the way 
To that auspicious wedding-day! 
The mother's busy thoujdit takes in 
Each trille that she hopes may win 
A meed of praise from those who there 
The household joy that day will share, 
The while her busy hands prepare. 
With love's devotion, love's sweet care, 
The thousantl things, each, in its way, 

To make more bright the wedding-day. 

68 



THE PIONEERS 

Long since, her love-task, to provide 
The marriage outfit of the bride, 
Has been performed and stored away, 
The untold treasures safely lay ; 
The daughter graver, stiller grown. 
Amid sweet musings, all her own. 
With busy fingers, willing feet, 
Assists to make each task complete. 
The oaken floors with neatness shine. 
Flower wreaths the chimney rude entwine, 
The oaken walls are garnished fair 
With evergreen devices rare, 
And wildwood flowers are everywhere. 
No chime of bells breaks on the air, 
To usher in that morning fair, 
But on the gentle breezes floats 
The bird-song from a thousand throats. 
As if the woodland choirs would be 
Interpreters of melody. 
Far sweeter than the chime of bells, 

69 



TUK IMONKKRS 

Or orj^an's pealing tioto, that tells 
I low love's dear mastery hath inatle 
Two foiul hearts brave and iinclisina\ed 
To seal the vow that loxe hath won, 
Repeated oft sinee love beiuin, 
Uniting plighted hearts for a\'e, 
Llpon this ^r.ieious widdini^-day ; 
Anon the friiMulK- lUMt^hhors eome, 
Ami soon the eahin heais the hum 
Oi m.iiu' vn)iees, soil, suhilued. 
In gentle symi).ith\'. not rude, 
Though those who greet know not too 

well 
Rare culture's pc^lish, ov the spc^ll 
Which courteous fashion thtows o'cv all, 
In mansion prouil ami st.it el\ hall. 
Amid the throng with rustie gt.uc^ 
The frontier preacher! and each face. 
Untutored in deei it or guile. 

Reflects the sunlight t>f his smile. 

70 



TIIK PIONFCERS 

A hush of {\vvp expectancy, 
And now (lu- ph'jjlUcd twain we see! 
I''air as a valley lily's bell, 
That hlossoins in the wootUand dc.Il, 
The hridc cxixi (ant looks to hi- 
A prize worth deeds of chivalry! 
And he who fondly .i( her side, 
Sees only her and n.»M}dit beside. 
Betokens — i)y his honest face, 
IHs stalwart form, his nntauj^dit ^(race, 
His eye, so fnll of shnnberiii}; fire 
That speaks a natnic to aspire — 
A soul that brooks command nor ban, 
A ^^mtleman, a l''U()N rii-iKSMAN. 
The willin^,^ preacher takes his [)lace, 
Invokes God's blessiii}; and Ilis^race, 
And briefly si)eaks the words that mate 
J.ife unto life and fate to fate. 
True, honest lips to each now bear, 
In phrase, perchance not debonair, 

7« 



Till': PU)N KICKS 

(^1' roiulu'd in roinllN' form, siuh word 
As oft before ttiK" lu Mils wimc stirred, 
Ami full of Messing- is tlu- air 
Arouiul the new ly-vvcckleil p.iir. 

XXIV 

What nuMr\'inakini;s now bc-jMiile 
The yonnm'T, whilc^ the elders snn'le, 
Well pleased in buoyant youth to sec 
lavi'd o'er ai;ain that j;aiety 
Whiih they in ye. us ai'.oni" diil share, 
When life was \'ouni; and liidil was earc. 
The housewife's pride, the wicldini; fiast, 
'I'o ample weleonie bids eaeh ^ucst, 
And nuriy jest .nul kindl\' woid 
\'\y \\int;ed round the happy boai'd. 
At head i)( labh- sits the biide, 
I'he eonseious brideiMooni at her si(U\ 
And custoin wills that there shall be 

7-» 



'niic inoNETcn.q 



I wo ( .iKc; Ixfoir lliciri ".jXM i;il|y— 

I lie hinlc'., (>l l<xtiiic wliilr .i;i miow, 

I I < I in.iidc II j)in il y lo '.liovv, 
'\\\c I'looin"'., ;» Iniil (.il:<- lo foirlrll 
'III. it lir will '.!<»( I; \\\c l.iKlcrwrli! 
Swift wiii}M<l, llif Ii.i))j)y iiioiiicnl •. Ily, 
lie. Ill '.j)(;il:'. to liciil .iihI cyr to <y<*, 
AikI c.k Ii i'im',1 (|(( iir. Iiiiii'.f II to be 

I he li.i))j)i<'.l of I Im ( oiii|),iiiy . 

Mraii wliilr, ill j)l.i( ( .<(iiic |i«*iii '.ii'Jit, 

StraiijM- doiii!''. inrcl tli<- eye of iiii'lill 

W«*ir(l fonir. I>< j'iii to ( oiii'irj'iilc, 

My.tri ioir. a-. tli<- •,\\:i(\( •. of fatc, 

Aim! <v(ii from iIm- W( (Miii!' Iry.t", 

I'( rliaj)'. '.oiiir y«>iitlifiil imm .t'. air iiii','.<<| ; 

1 lie wat( IiwokI j).r, ,c , lo and fro, 
"Iwixl lij)'. willi ini',( lii<f ail ai'low. 

A lid (|IH< I ( I ( ,il |')U , ( .III y allj 

I o j>n//.l» , and anon, appall! 
1 lir Iradcr j'ivr. ( oininand, aii'l all 

V.J 



THE PIONEKRS 

In martial order promptly fall, 

And march, with bated breath, aiicar 
The wedding windows, whence the cheer 
Of merry-makin}^ they can hear: 

Then, hark! Swells up a mighty noise! 

The shouts of mischief-loving boys! 

The shriek of tin horns, clan^:^ of pans! 

The clappin^^ of a score of hands! 

The rifled cowbells' clank and clang! 

The rou^h horse-fiddle's awful twan^! 

The old horse-pistol's burst of sound! 

The worn-out trombone's bass profound! 

A startlinj^ phase of {:jaiety, 

Proclaims the frontier "charivari!" 

No disrespect is the intent 

Of this discordant merriment. 

Hut each partaker claims with pride, 

A well-earnetl ri^ht to kiss I he bride. 

Who, gracious, with a face that glows, 

The envied boon on each bestows. 

74 



THE PIONEERS 



XXV 



What tender memories cluster round 
My childhood's own home hearth! The 
bound 
Of life's short years cannot efface 
One line of beauty or of grace 
That marks for aye that sacred place. 
Though log- walled and shake-covered, 

there 
We breathed a more than holy air, 
And grew in stalwart manliness, 
The modern fops cannot possess; 
( And if my young life I review, 
I touch a thousand hearts that grew, 
A thousand memories renew, 
Bring sweet beatitudes to view, 
Distilling on the heart like dew. 
And all reminders, tenderly, 
Of what the log-house used to be — 

IS 



THE PIONEERS 

Rough clad, but full of sanctity! 

Ah, well I mind when day was done. 

And low had sunk the western sun. 

Below the far horizon's rim. 

And came the evening starlight dim. 

The faces loved that round the hearth, 

That spot most blest of all the earth 

With love that Heaven makes below. 

Were gathered in the firelight's glow! 

Such memories come back to me — 

My eyes are wet — I cannot see! 

Such memories as one might deem 

The sweet illusions of a dream ! 

How dear the world! How bright and 

fair! 

How free from all corroding care! 

How, like a bud of promise bright. 

The young soul opened to the light ! 

How every pathway seemed to lead 

To storehouse of our nature's need! 

76 



THE PIONEERS 

How every brightly beaming star 
Seemed but a gate of Heaven ajar! 
How Friendship's golden petaled flow'r 
Grew into beauty, hour by hour! 
How glad the prayer that sought the 

throne 
Of Him who loved us as His own! 
The golden-hearted mystery 
Of all God's past seemed yesterday, 
While all a glad eternity 
Was syllabled in sweet ''To Be!" 
To be, to be in mornings bright. 
To be, to be in noons delight. 
To be, to be in nights of rest. 
To be, to be in sweet love blest, 
To be, to be for aye as now, 
As light of heart and smooth of brow. 



77 



THE PIONFERS 



XXVI 



Dear f.K'os. whitluM- h.ivc you i\cd'^ 
O words of lo\t\ wiuMc h.ivc you sped? 
Como back 1 pra\'. in ch.irity. 
And bo this nii;ht aL;aiti with luc! 
In vain to pra\' ! C')nc aftor our. 
The birdhnLis from the nest have tlown. 
Now one to sloop bonc.it h the sod. 
Now ono to pass bonoath tho lod 
Oi life boNond tho procincts whore 
Tho oldon, sacrod niciuorios arc, 
Now homos io foinul, now fates tc'* moot. 
Now K>vos to build, now joys to i;root. 
Until, porohanoo. tho homostoad knows 
In summor-shino, in winter snows. 
As onl)' tenants, ai^od pair. 
The fust tho frontier toil to boar. 
With momiMy's toiulrils clingini^ fast 
To all tho beauties of the past, 

78 



THE PIONKICRS 

The itMiiiiants of a race that soon 
Will only to {\\c past hiloii};; 
Tluy sit l)i'si(K" tlu- sanu- old luMitli 
Tliat saw tluir childriMi ^Mvcn birth, 
Antl t.ilk the old tiinrs o'lr and o'er, 
More loved as tliey are quoted more; 
They mind the time with nnchanj.jed pride, 
When children j^athered at their side, 
Each in their place of honor there, 
All e.'ij^cr in their love to share. 
And jrrateful for their kindly care. 
The ample hearth is none too wide 
A place for each onc^ to i)rovide, 
When gathered in at eventide, 
And none too warm the firelight's ^low, 
That throu^^h the window p;lints the snow. 
That niakt;s each ruddy rafter seem 
The send)lance of a j^olden beam. 
And bids tin; onti-r darkness llee, 
Like some forbidden mystery ; 

79 



THE PIONEERS 

Again they hear the rafters ring, 
As happy voices join to sing 
The old songs, learned at mother's knee, 
So full of simple melody. 
Whose echoes linger still, a part 
Of the orchestra of the heart ! 
The rough-hewn oak logs seem to shine 
In summer of a light divine; 
Sweet Babel of commingled speech 
Is there, when each replies to each. 
And names are spoken time endears 
The more, as lapse the fleeting years. 
And toward their love's horizon's rim, 
The lengthening shadows grow more dim ! 
No yearnings for a better part. 
For peace is perfect in each heart ; 
No bodings of the ills to come. 
No threat of storm to cloud the sun, 
No sign of tempest in the sky, 
No evil presage hovering nigh, 

80 



THE PIONEERS 

No fears of changiii}^ time, whose llij.;lit 

15rings only cycles of delight. 

And lips grow elociuent in sj)eech, 

While eyes flash love-light, each to each : 

They think and sigh, that miles divide 

Their loved ones, scattered far and wide — 

The hearts that once made melody. 

Together, 'ncath the old roof tree — 

And e'en that now the cabins be 

To many but a memory, 

So when the duteous feet would roam. 

To seek the Mecca of that home, 

No more the sacred walls arise, 

To bless again their tear-dimmed eyes; 

They pass not through the open door. 

They tread not on the oaken floor, 

They sit not in the firelight's glow, 

They list no more the ebb and flow 

Of friendly talk, that in the past 

Made each hour sweeter than the last, 

8i 



THE PIONEERS 

And turn them sadly from the spot, 
But, O, their hearts forget it not ! 
Thus while the old folks idly sit, 
The present with the past to knit, 
They live again life's rounded sum, 
While e*en their babies' cooings come. 
And, O my heart ! They hear the knells 
Of not far distant funeral bells! 



THE END. 



82 



PRINTF.D BY R. R. DONNELLKY 
AND SONS COMPANY AT THK 
LAKESIDE I'RKSS, CHICA(;0, ILL. 



